By F. John  Reh

Does it seem like everyone around you is getting into the Holidays, but you are too busy to join in? Do you feel like you are the only one doing any work anymore. Would you like some help getting through the Holiday season?

Concentrate on what is important

The first rule of getting through the year end craze, without seeming like Ebenezer Scrooge and without losing your mind, is to concentrate your efforts on the important tasks.

What really has to be done? Do you have production deadlines to meet. What customer satisfaction issues require attention? Does a specific project need to be completed this year or would you get more creative work if it slips into January?

Focus your management effort on those things that have to get done this year. Encourage as much production as you can get, but make sure you are applying that effort to the issues where it will make a difference. This is a classic case of the 80/20 rule.

Make last minute fiscal “adjustments”

Think about your financials. Should you accelerate income for this year to meet stakeholder expectations, or should you defer it into next year to reduce taxable income for this year. You plan your financials all year long, but this is your last chance to “buff them up”.

Plan and budget

If you haven’t already done your planning and prepared your budgets for next year you had better get busy.  It’s hard, especially in smaller companies, to take time away from more immediate issues in order to deal with planning, but it is essential.

If your budget planning cycle is done already, this is still a good time to review your plan. Have your secretary block out all your appointments for half an hour and just sit and think. Are we heading in the right direction? Do we know how to get there?

Reflect on the good things

This is also a great time to think back on all the good things you have accomplished this year. Take the time to congratulate yourself for these successes, whether they are financial successes or inter-personal successes.

Reward Key Employees

This is also another good time to recognize key employees and reward them for their contributions during the past year. Remember, that the behaviors and accomplishments for which you reward these employees are the behaviors you are encouraging for all your employees for next year.

If you pay holiday bonuses to the employees with the highest production you encourage everybody to produce. If you acknowledge those with the fewest errors, people will focus next year on reducing their errors. And if you praise the employees who excelled at customer service,… well you get the idea.

Thank all employees

Finally, thank all your employees. They all contributed in some measure to your success. Depending on your position in the organization, and your budget, this recognition may vary. It can be a hand-written note, a small gift, or a company party.

You say you overspent your budget last year and didn’t pay off your Christmas bills until Easter? Then you need some advice on how to hang on to more green. Our ten tips will keep you out of the red this holiday season.

1. Pay cash. No, that’s not hopelessly old-fashioned. Recently I was interviewed on a radio talk show, and the host shared her holiday shopping M.O.: She always pays in cash, preferably $100 bills. “The bank teller always looks at me strangely when I ask for hundreds, but it makes you think twice when you go to buy something,” she explains. “You really don’t want to break a Benjamin.” Her co-host on the show does his holiday shopping with a debit card: “When you’re out of money, you’re out of money.”

2. Know thy enemy. If you’re going to pay by credit card, use the one with the most favorable terms. That may sound obvious, but many people carry as many as five bank cards in their wallets and don’t always know what the interest rate is on each card. Nor do they know that if they exceed their credit limit or pay late their rate could jump to 30% or higher, and they could be slapped with a penalty as high as $39.

Another credit-card trap is two-cycle billing, in which card issuers charge interest on balances you’ve already paid. In a recent study of credit-card companies by the Government Accountability Office, one-third of those surveyed use this billing method, which works like this: Assume that you start a billing cycle with a zero balance and charge $1,000 on the credit card (not unusual for holiday shoppers). You make a timely payment of $990, and expect to pay interest on the remaining $10. Instead, you’re charged interest on the full $1,000. Even though you owed the credit card company only $10 for 30 days or less, the interest charge in this example from the GAO was $11.02. Moral: Read the fine print in your card agreement, and pay your balance in full.

3. Keep a running tally of your credit-card spending. When you come home from a day of shopping, immediately subtract what you’ve spent from your checking-account balance. Not only does that give you a visual record of how much you’ve spent, but also it ensures that you’ll have enough money in the account to pay the bill when it arrives.

4. Have a plan for paying off your bills. If you overspent last year, it’s time to cut back. But slashing your budget in half can be like trying to quit smoking cold turkey — it often doesn’t work, and your failure makes you feel worse than before.

Instead, come up with a more realistic goal. For example, make up your mind to cut your spending by 20% and pay off your balances by Valentine’s Day. Meeting your deadline will give you the confidence to whittle another 20% off your spending next year (use our What will it take to pay off my balance? calculator to set up a repayment plan).

5. Get easy gifts out of the way early. I have a friend who sets aside money for cash gifts — to the paper boy, the babysitter, the hairdresser, the trash collectors, out-of-town nephews — before Thanksgiving. That way those presents don’t have to come out of her December shopping budget. (See our Tipping Tip Sheet for guidance.)

6. Make a list. Don’t dismiss this perennial piece of advice as too simplistic. Writing down which stores you’ll visit and which gifts you plan to buy helps focus your shopping excursion and makes the chore more pleasant because you don’t get caught up in holiday hysteria. And need I point out that you’ll spend less money than if you rush from store to store snapping up “bargains” willy-nilly?

7. Think outside the gift box. Plenty of alternatives are less expensive, and more fun, than buying a gift for every sibling, in-law, niece and nephew. Instead, have a family gift exchange in which you each choose one name and put more thought than money into selecting a single gift.

Our family did this last year, and it was a touching success — especially when my daughter presented her gift to her grandmother, whose name she had drawn. Unbeknownst to any of us, Claire had put together a photo album of all the grandchildren — a particularly poignant present because her grandmother suffers from dementia and doesn’t always remember the grandkids.

Or buy a single gift for your brother’s entire family — perhaps an “entertainment” basket filled with DVDs, microwave popcorn and gift certificates to the movies. Or for your sister, the new mother, how about an evening out at a restaurant, plus your services as a free babysitter? The best gifts don’t cost money.

8. Be creative with the kids. Let’s say you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World during winter break or spring vacation. Stuff the kids’ stockings with guidebooks, maps and Disney memorabilia, and let them plan their excursion. You’ll save money on holiday gifts, and they’ll enjoy weeks of pleasure without becoming bored.

9. Look ahead to next year. If you came up short on cash this year, start an old-fashioned holiday-club account with a modern twist: an online savings account with a bank such as HSBC Direct or ING Direct. You can easily set up an automatic transfer from your checking account each month, earn a competitive rate of interest, and have a tidy sum when next holiday season rolls around. Customers who bank with Wells Fargo can track their savings goals with an online tool called My Savings Plan.

10. Count your pennies. A few weeks ago I was waiting for my sandwich in a sub shop around the corner from my office. When I bent down to pick up a dime from the floor, a gentleman standing next to me struck up a conversation. He told me he always picks up coins (even pennies) and tosses them into a big jar, along with the change from his pockets every day. That’s the money he uses to buy his holiday gifts — and every year it adds up to between $900 and $1,100.

In Acting Advice, Acting Resources, Moving to LA on November 28, 2010 at 7:20 am I’ve noticed that a lot of actors lately are trying different ways to connect with one another to get leads on agents, jobs and other industry information.

This is super! I think that we have to connect as a community to share valuable information about things that are going on and in order to make connections that can help further our careers — that’s why I write this blog! However, I’ve also noticed that many people don’t quite grasp exactly HOW to ask others for help.  I’ve written on this in the past, but I think it’s a point that needs repeating and may help many of you out there.   

So, here are my top five DOs/DON’Ts for Getting Ahead:

Networking

 1. DO contact actors, directors, producers that you have met in the past and update them with your recent work. DON’T ask them to come to a class you are teaching or to come to a private party. These requests are just strange, but Isee them happen all the time! 

Helping Out a Newbie

 2. DO connect your hopeful friend or family member with an actor, producer, director that you know well through a simple email with BOTH people’s permission. DON’T expect that actor, director or producer to spend an entire lunch with a stranger. That’s a lot of time to commit to someone who is green and has nothing to offer. This may sound harsh but it’s truly a waste of time on both people’s ends, particularly if the newbie has no experience or credits and the more experienced person can’t really offer them anything without experience. 

Connecting Via Email — For Newbies and Oldies alike

 3. If you are considering moving to LA (or NYC) and want advice, DO send a CLEAR question (or two) in a CONCISE email to the person you’ve been connected with for advice in the industry. Include a one-sentence bio and then ask your question and thank the person for their time. PERIOD. DON’T include your entire 3-page bio along with your dreams and aspirations, only to then ask the person “Could you please tell me how you made it in the industry and how I can too?

”First of all, you should have done your research on this person — you should already know what they’ve done to get where they are. Second – AND THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE I CAN GIVE – Don’t ever ask for general advice on how to make it in the industry — ASK A SPECIFIC QUESTION. Asking someone (who is likely very busy) to detail how you (a person they don’t know from Adam) can become rich and famous is ridiculous and unanswerable. How in the world are they supposed to know? Even asking for a “few words of advice” is silly because they’re only going to tell you to “stick with it” or “keep performing” — things that aren’t helpful in a real way.

Instead — ask things like (for actors) “How did you land your first agent?”(for writers)”How did you sell your first script?” (for producers) “Do you know f any production companies that might be interested in a show like….?” etc. These are purposeful questions with quick, easy answers. Open-ended, vague questions just show laziness on your part. No one is going to give you a step-by-step guide to make it in Hollywood. Not because they don’t want to — because there ISN’T one. Everyone’s path is different and no one person will repeat another’s.

 Agent Referrals

 4. DO ask actors you know WELL for referrals. DON’T ask actors in your same type and/or who haven’t seen your work to refer you to their agents. Why would they do that?!  

Facebook/Twitter/Etc.

 5. DO maintain an online presence that allows casting directors and others to find you easily. DON’T post things that are embarrassing or otherwise unprofessional naked/inappropriate pics, excessive profanity, etc.) if that’s not the image you are going for. Remember — casting directors and producers use these tools DAILY to spy on you — trust me.

 By Robin Thede

Okay, you guys, what I hear a lot in class is when my students say, “I knew you were going to call me on that. I was just standing there.” Well, they were right. They did get called on it!

When in life do we ‘just stand there’ and do nothing? Something is usually going on. Something is always spinning in that mind of ours. We are texting, playing video games, cooking, folding clothes, in front of a computer, or Ipads or something.

Like right now, I’m typing this very article fast (doing), because I know that Mia Moore (one of my students, but she donates her time to do the eblasts for the studio) is going to contact me soon if I don’t get this to her pretty soon! I’m sweating, but determined to get this to you.

This particular doing (typing) and situation is creating great URGENCY for me.:-) If someone were filming me right now, it would be a lot more interesting that watching me just talk and stand in one place.  Do you get it?

Use the ‘doings’ in your work to tell the story. Doings also make you appear and feel more human, and also help you to relax.  Let see what the online dictionary says about Doings.  It says, “Activities that go on everyday.”  Mmnnn … I like that. 

I want you to study yourself for a week and write down some of the ‘doings (activities)’ that you do.  An example might be eating, preparation of your food, brushing or combing your hair, tying your shoestrings, knitting (Yes, I know some 20 year olds who knit!), getting dressed and so forth.

I need to mention an example of a young lady named Kimberly Floyd, an outstanding and gifted actor who put up a scene in class called ’The Dark At The Top of The Stairs’ by William Inge. She had the ‘doing’ of snapping peas. She was a bit upset with her husband in the scene who was portrayed by Bertram Mayweather.  The scene from the piece was so intense I was on the edge of my seat. I watched her delicate hands snap the peas in a way that was memorable. It was memorable to me and so many others because she told a story before our eyes with the snapping of the peas.  She snapped them like she was filled with disgust when the character or her husband came home (he, the character, did some pretty bad things), although she wasn’t even speaking at that moment. 

Why is it, 10 years later I’m still thinking about this.   It’s because her work (as well as Bertram’s – he had other doings that we would need to discuss at another time perhaps) was brilliant  and she used her doings to move the story along and allowed us to see her as a human being who has feelings. She connected with the humanity in the character. Everything she did had a reason. I honestly don’t think the scene would have had the same impact without the different doings that she and both her partner had throughout the scene.

 So, go for it … create … use those ‘Doings’ in your work as an actor!

 To Brilliance!

Alexia

Continue to check our blogs for more free information on acting.

Written by Alexia Robinson

Okay, I know most of you have been going out for auditions. Some of you have booked, others have gotten very close to booking and some have not gotten out at all.

Let’s discuss this.

ACTORS WHO HAVE BOOKED

First of all congratulations! Now it’s time for the table read perhaps, depending on the show. Just a word on table reads (when the producers, directors, casting directors meet and read over the script with all of the characters together), ‘Give it your all.’ Common error is that actors can sometimes get comfortable after booking the role.  In my opinion, actors should not get comfortable until they see their work on the screen. I’ve been fired after a table read and I’ve been edited out before that project was released (thankfully, that only happened once). Okay, GROWING PAINS!  I learned the hard way and I’m actually pretty happy about it, because having that experience allows me to educate actors first hand.

BEFORE THE SHOOT

It is crucial to work with your private coach to make sure everything is still in place since your audition.  You will also find ‘moments’ to go deeper with the great choices that helped to get you the job in the first place.  Yes, I’m talking about multiple coaching sessions! Most actors do one coaching session, book the job, and that’s it! Others do multiple coaching sessions for that one role and do ‘Brilliant Work!’

Also, know that once a Pilot gets picked up, the the producers need to decide which actors they want to keep! So, make sure you do everything in your power to ‘Give it your all without being fearful.’

ON THE DAY(S) OF THE SHOOT

1.)  Please be prompt and prepared.

2.)  Check in with the 2nd A.D. (Assistant Director) to let them know you have arrived.

3.)  Having your own trailer is nice, but get out and mingle. Being an excellent actor is one thing, but being an excellent actor who knows other industry professionals is even better.

4.)  Listen and do what the director is asking you to do regarding your work.  Remember that we as actors don’t run the show.  Sometimes it’s tough thinking that directors and producers can have so much power.  They know their show and what is needed to get it picked up. One of my favorite tips is to ’Be Nice To Everyone.’ I have to constantly remind myself of that one too.:-) We never know who we are talking to while on the set. We might have been ‘not so nice’ to the makeup artist.  That makeup artist might be the director’s wife!

ACTORS WHO HAVE GOTTEN VERY CLOSE TO BOOKING THE JOB

It is hard not to take it personally, but it really is not personal to CD’s and producers as to who gets the BOOKING.  If you’ve gotten that close to booking, that says, you’re pretty special and your time will come! I know it can be frustrating, but this is the business you’ve chosen. That goes with the territory.

It is a business for them, so they must do what is best for their business. Maybe you are too tall, too short, too dark, too light or whatever!  You get the point. You might have been the best actor talent wise, but someone else might have been really, really good too, but they were a better fit with the other characters that had already been cast. 

To deal with the possible frustration, you almost have to be like a soldier. You must be able to let an audition roll off your back.  You have to be able to UNDERSTAND fully that there is nothing wrong with you. You have to have PATIENCE and STRENGTH beyond what is normal for most people. 

FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS TO GIVE YOU BALANCE

Focusing on areas other than ‘Acting’ gives you balance in ‘Life.’ An example would be if you like to sew, then create some time to sew, if you like to go to the beach, then go to the beach. You get my point.

LIVE YOU’RE LIFE! At the end of the day, this is a profession. This does not dictate who you are as an individual.  This will take a load off of you and you will find yourself booking more jobs.

NO PILOT AUDITIONS YET …

Mmmnnn, this could be anything. 

Do you have an agent or manager? If so, have you provided them with the tools they asked for?

Do you have enough credits to be seen for pilots?

Typically the more guest star roles you have on your resume, the better.

You can still however get in for pilot auditions with aggressive representation, but it is usually more difficult for your reps.

Do they have the connections to get you in the bigger doors based on their reputation?

Some reps encourage communication (briefly) with their clients. If yours does, see if there is somethingyou can do differently. Just remember to take a look at yourself first to see what you can do differently versus what I call the Blame Game.

That last comment may seem slightly  rough to some people, but you guys need someone to be honest and direct with you.  Most people appreciate that. If you guys need more information on this section, just email me with your specific questions at Alexia@AlexiaRobinsonStudio.com.

Still time left to BOOK! Pilot Season is still going strong!

Blessings, Peace, and Prosperity!!!

Alexia